Water filtering device

ABSTRACT

A water filter device includes a container ( 1 ) that has an opening for filling of water, and a filter unit ( 3 ) that is movable relative to the container ( 1 ). It is significant of the device that the filter unit ( 3 ) includes a filter element ( 5 ), an operating rod ( 7 ) connected to the filter element ( 5 ) and sealing means ( 14 ) along the periphery of the filter element ( 5 ), and that the filter element ( 5 ) has a particle filter ( 10 ) and an adsorption filter ( 11 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a water filter device, said devicecomprising a container that has an opening for filling of water, and afilter unit that is movable relative to the container, that the filterunit comprises a filter element, an operating rod connected to thefilter element and sealing means along the periphery of the filterelement, and that the filter element comprises a particle filter and anadsorption filter.

PRIOR ART

From WO 00/57985 a filter device is previously known that comprises acontainer, a filter means in the shape of a piston-like cartridge thathas a shape adapted to the inner shape of the container. The filterdevice also comprises a rod that is connected to the filter means.Manually, via the rod, the filter means may be displaced relative to thecontainer. When the filter means is displaced downwards through a watervolume in the container a filtering of the water takes place. The filtermeans may container different types of filter media. Above the filtermeans there is a protection device for the water, said protection devicebeing attached to the rod and is in the shape of a disc that floats onthe water surface. The protection device comprises an anti-bacterialmedium that for instance may constitute a two-dimensional fine silvermesh.

OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to present a water filterdevice of the type defined above that generally brings about an improvedwater quality.

A further object of the present invention is to improve both theanti-bacterial function and the mechanical purification of the device.

Still an object of the present invention is a structural simplicity andsimultaneously extreme user-friendliness.

At least the primary object is realised by means of a device that hasbeen given the features of the appending independent claim 1. Preferredembodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Below embodiments of the invention will be described, reference beingmade to the accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a water filter device according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a detail in enlarged scale of the attachment of the filterunit to the container; and

FIG. 3 shows schematically an alternative embodiment of the filter unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The water filter device shown in FIG. 1 comprises the container 1,preferably in the shape of a jug of glass that has an upper open end forfilling of water to be filtered. The container 1 is also equipped with aspout 2 and a handle 4 in order to facilitate the pouring of water fromthe container 1. The device according to the present invention alsocomprises a filter unit 3 that in its turn comprises a generally discshaped filter element 5 and an operating rod 7 connected to the filterelement 5. The operating rod 7 has an extension perpendicular to theplane that is occupied by the filter element 5. In connection withdisplacement of the operating rod 7 the filter element 5 is displacedrelative to the container 1. At the end facing away from the filterelement 5 the operating rod 7 is equipped with a knob 9.

The operating rod 7 is preferably coated with an agent that emits silverions and it is known that the silver ions in the water have ananti-bacterial effect upon the water. By having the agent that emitssilver irons attached to the operating rod 7 there is no need for aseparate element or means to take care of the emitting of silver ions inthe water.

In the shown embodiment the filter element 5 comprises a particle filter10 and an adsorption filter 11, said filters 10, 11 being arranged inclose proximity to each other in axial direction of the filter unit 3.According to the shown embodiment the adsorption filter 11 is arrangedfurthest away from the operating rod 7.

The filter unit 3 also comprises a lid 12 that fits in the open end ofthe container 1. The lid 12 is equipped with a hole 13, in which theoperating rod 7 is received and displaceable relative to the lid 12.

The particle filter 10 may for instance have polypropylene as filtermedium and this medium should have the ability to filter out particlesdown to a size of 0.2 μm.

The adsorption filter 11 is normally a carbon filter that has activatedcarbon as filter medium. The carbon filter adsorbs in conventional waygases that creates smell, taste or being poisonous, e.g. chlorine.

In FIG. 2 it is shown in larger scale an example of how a sealing 14between the filter element 5 and the inner side of the container 1 maybe designed. The sealing 14 comprises an annular base element 15 that isattached to the periphery of the filter element 5 and a tongue 16 thatprojects from the base element 15, the free end of the tongue 16 beingin contact with the inner side of the container 1. The tongue 16 hasalso a tangential extension along the entire periphery of the filterelement 5. The base element 15 and the tongue 16 are preferably integralwith each other and made out of the same material that for instance mayconstitute a plastic of suitable flexibility.

The device according to the present invention that has been describedabove functions in the following way. The water to be purified is pouredinto the container 1 via the open upper end, the lid 12 being removed.When the liquid has reached the desired level N the lid is again placedin position according to FIG. 1, however the filter element 5 in thisphase being located above the water surface N of the water that is to befiltered. Then the operator brings the operating rod 7 to be displaceddownwards in direction of the arrow P1, the knob 9 suitably being incontact with the palm of the operator. The operator effects thedisplacement of the operating rod 7 in direction of the arrow P1 bypushing the hand that receives the knob 9 downwards. In connectiontherewith the filter element 5 breaks through the water surface N andcontinues downwards through the water that is to the filtered. The waterthat is forced through the filter element 5 is symbolised by the arrowsP2. In this connection it should be pointed out that it is extremelyimportant that in principle all of the water in the container is forcedto pass through the filter element 5. In order to achieve this thesealing 14 between the periphery of the filter element 5 and the innerside of the container 1 must be extremely efficient as regards itsfunction, i.e. water must not pass between the periphery of the filterelement 5 and the inner side of the container 1. By giving the tongue 16an extension in an inclined direction downwards it will be guaranteed toa high degree that water is not bypassing the tongue 16 when the filterelement 5 is displaced downwards in FIG. 2.

The water, see the arrows P2, that is brought to pass through the filterelement 5 will initially be subjected to a purification by means ofadsorption via the carbon filter 11 and then a purification fromparticles via the particle filter 10. This means that apart frompurification from particles also a possible unpleasant smell or taste ofthe water will be eliminated. The reason that the carbon filter 11 islocated below the particle filter 10 is that the particle filter 10 willadhere possible particles that loosen from the carbon filter 11.

In principle all water in the container 1 has passed through the filterelement 5 when the filter element 5, via the operating rod 7, has beendisplaced that far downwards that the filter element 5 has entered intocontact with the bottom of the container 1. The filtered water, that islocated above the filter element 5, is now ready for drinking and may bepoured into a glass or the like via the spout 2.

In FIG. 3 it is schematically shown an alternative embodiment of afilter element 105 that in the disclosed embodiment comprises a particlefilter 110 and an adsorption filter 111, said filters 110 and 111 beingarranged one after the other in axial direction of the filter element105. Between the particle filter 110 and the adsorption filter 111 aspreading chamber 117 is provided. According to the shown embodiment theadsorption filter 111 is arranged furthest away from an operating rod107 that is attached to the filter element 105. In a corresponding wayas for the embodiment described above the operating rod 107 ispreferably coated with an agent that emits silver ions.

The filter element 105 has also a labyrinth function for the water thatflows through the filter element 105. Thus, a partition 118 is providedin the adsorption filter 111, said partition 118 generally having anextension transverse to the longitudinal direction of the operating rod107. Preferably, the partition 118 is in the shape of a circular dischaving a diameter that is a smaller than the diameter of the filterelement 105. Preferably, the diameter of the partition/disc constitutes50-80% of the diameter of the filter element 105. When the filterelement 105 is displaced downwards in the container 101 the water isforced to bypass the filter element 105. In connection therewith thelines P102, having arrows, symbolise the flow path for the water throughthe filter element 105. As is evident from FIG. 3 the water must make a“detour” around the partition 118 and consequently the flow path for thewater through the adsorption filter 111 is prolonged compared to theembodiment according to FIG. 1. The prolonged flow path brings aboutthat the time of contact between the water and the adsorption filter isincreased. This brings about a generally higher degree of separation ofpollution solved in the water.

FEASIBLE MODIFICATIONS OF THE INVENTION

In the description of the embodiments above it is stated that theoperating rod 7; 107 preferably is coated with an agent that emitssilver ions. As an alternative to this design it is feasible within thescope of the present invention that the device comprises a separateelement that emits silver ions, said element preferably being helicaland having an extension along the operating rod 7; 107. By having theelement helical a larger contact surface relative the water is achievedcompared to having only the operating rod 7; 107 coated with an agentthat emits silver ions.

In the description of the embodiments above it is stated that the filtermaterial in the particle filter 10; 110 may constitute polypropylene.However, within the scope of the present invention alternative filtermaterials are feasible in the particle filter. In exemplifying andnon-restricting purpose ceramic materials may be mentioned.

The filter element 5; 105 in the embodiments described above comprises aparticle filter 10; 110 and a carbon filter 11; 111. However, within thescope of the present invention it is feasible that the filter element 5;105 is equipped with further means, e.g. an ion exchanger and/or anoxidizing filter.

1-9. (canceled)
 10. Water filter device, said device comprising acontainer (1; 101) that has an opening for filling of water, and afilter unit (3; 103) that is movable relative to the container (1; 101),that the filter unit (3; 103) comprises a filter element (5; 105), anoperating rod (7; 107) connected to the filter element (5; 105) andsealing means (14; 116) along the periphery of the filter element (5;105), that the filter element (5; 105) comprises a particle filter (10;110) and an adsorption filter (11; 111), and that in connection with theoperating rod (7; 107) means are provided for emitting silver ions,characterized in that the filter element (105) has a labyrinth function.11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the operatingrod (7; 107) is coated with an agent that emits silver ions.
 12. Deviceaccording to claim 10, characterized in that the filter element (5; 105)generally is disc shaped, and that the operating rod (7; 107) generallyextends perpendicular to the filter element (5; 105).
 13. Deviceaccording to claim 10, characterized in that the filter material in theparticle filter (10; 110) constitutes polypropylene.
 14. Deviceaccording to claim 10, characterized in that the filter material in theadsorption filter (11; 111) constitutes active carbon.
 15. Deviceaccording to claim 10, characterized in that a partition (118) isprovided in the adsorption filter (111), said partition (118) extendingtransverse to the longitudinal direction of the operating rod (107). 16.Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the partition is inthe shape of a circular disc (118) with a smaller diameter than thefilter element (105).
 17. Device according to claim 10, characterized inthat the sealing means (14; 114) comprises a tongue (16; 116), whosefree end in active position abuts the inner side of the container (1;101).
 18. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the filterelement (5; 105) generally is disc shaped, and that the operating rod(7; 107) generally extends perpendicular to the filter element (5; 105).